Which tune would you go home to?

Police in Leicester believe that they have found a novel way to cope with closing time in local pubs and clubs.

The theme tunes to children's TV shows such as the Magic Roundabout and Mr Benn will be played to revellers in order to prevent fights.

Some 15,000 lollipops have also been donated by local firms in order to sweeten potentially frayed tempers.

Leicester City Police believe that by occupying the hands and minds of people as they leave a club, they will be less likely to get into violent and drunken confrontations.

Will it work? And which tune would set you on your way after a good night out?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

---

Your reaction

What about that timeless classic "Show me the way to go home, I'm tired and I want to go to bed"?
Colin Mackay, UK

How about the Rezillos' "Somebody's gonna get their head kicked in tonight"? (only joking!)
Iain, UK

I know of a pub that plays "Let's Go Fly a Kite" at closing time

Kate, England

I know of a pub that plays "Let's Go Fly a Kite" at closing time which encourages a cheerful sing-a-long! However, at the end of the day (or night!) there need to be changes made to our licensing laws and in the teaching and nurture of respect for each other.
Kate, England

If we didn't have such pathetic laws on drinking, people would be able to leave when they wanted. The crowds would not accumulate, and there would be far fewer fights.
Andy, UK

How about something nice and peaceful like Limp Bizkit's "My Generation", or "Tribe" by Soulfly?
Jim Anderson, UK

Personally, I think ripping dark, dirty, new school drum and bass sounds should be allowed to let rip before places close. If some nursery rhyme or something of equal ridiculousness was played, people would probably start shouting, "Get this rubbish off" and start a ruck. Well that's what would happen in our Reading's Matrix anyway!
Andrew, Reading, England

Try Mahler's symphonies (all 10 of them!)

Brian, UK

Why not lock them in then play something they really won't appreciate. Try Mahler's symphonies (all 10 of them!) Alternatively, if you want to give the louts an idea, try "Die Young" by Black Sabbath. Here's hoping...
Brian, UK

I guess you don't want folk going home, switching on the deep fat-fryer and then falling asleep while it heats up, so better not play Talking Heads "Burning Down The House".
Doug, The Netherlands

Definitely the theme from "The Magic Roundabout"-the spinning melody will be the perfect complement to a spinning head after an evening at the pub.
M. M. Zaman, UK/US

Not a bad idea, but the "yobs" you are aiming to stop will all be drunk at the end of the night anyway. No tune is gonna stop them fighting. Stop the "yobs" entering the premises.
Bru, Ireland

Fitting that a country with nanny-like drinking laws should play children's songs at the end of drinking time

Mark Edwards, UK

Fitting that a country with nanny-like drinking laws should play children's songs at the end of drinking time. Isn't it about time Britain started to treat it's drinking citizens and visitors like adults and not herd them out onto the street at 11.30pm like animals. Treat them like that, and they behave like that.
Mark Edwards, UK

I like the Leicester Police's thinking on this one, however some "issues" need pointing out. The rampaging tune to Roobarb and Custard would most certainly trigger off a mosh. But if the Police are all for giving anything a go then maybe they should have the Bouncers dress up as Wombles. Even wacky Oasis singer Liam Gallagher wouldn't mouth off a Womble.
Peter, Ireland, Dublin

I lived in Kalgoorlie, a mining town in Western Australia which could be rough at the best of times. The pub we went to had 'American Pie' by Don Mclean as their closing time song. Everyone loved it and no matter how much you had to drink everyone went home happy...
Jason, Australia

Leonard Cohen did a song called "Closing Time"

Anastasia, USA

Leonard Cohen did a song called "Closing Time". It's really quite nice. His music is usually very good at sending people to an extremely relaxed state!
Anastasia, USA

How about the theme tune to Worzel Gummidge or The Wombles? Music to make you smile while you reminisce, should you be sober enough to do so!
Megan M. Thomas, Wales

Play the Bee Gees and I'll run to the exit. Death before disco!
Robert del Valle, USA

Elton John's Candle in the Wind I imagine would have the desired effect.
James Owen, UK

Instead of passing out lollipops pass a law decriminalising cannabis so clubbers and pub-goers can chill out with a joint

Mike C, Ireland

Why not take the mature choice and instead of passing out lollipops pass a law decriminalising cannabis so clubbers and pub-goers can chill out with a joint and some relaxed tunes as they go home rather than getting boozed up and in the mood for a fight? Break people's dependency on alcohol as their only legally accepted escape from everyday life and you will go further towards solving the fighting and yob culture which is so rampant in Britain.
Mike C, Ireland

This is not a totally original idea - the club I used to go to in Gillingham, Kent used to play classic TV themes to kick us out. The only problem was everyone used to stay longer to listen! A great memory I have is me and around 50 others mimicking the actions of a skiier in time to the theme from "Ski Sunday"! My personal top 3, though, would be the gallery theme from "Vision On", followed by "Roobarb and Custard" with "The Magic Roundabout" not too far behind.
Richard, UK

Change our silly licensing laws, that may stop binge drinking

Baz, UK

What about ''Kiss Me Goodnight Sergeant Major'' - I work nights in the City of London - just as many drunken louts here as in Leicester. Change our silly licensing laws, that may stop binge drinking. You rarely see loutish behavious in civilised cities, i.e. Amsterdam/Paris, etc.
Baz, UK

It's a great idea, in fact it works quite well. My local nightclub allways plays "Raindrops keep falling on my head" after the night, and I aint seen a fight for a long time !! Magic Roundabout YAY !
Niki, UK

Coming from Leicester I wouldn't say that there was that much violence anyway, or at least I haven't seen much. Also going to college with the people that are likely to be violent I can safely say that it will make no difference what music is played, this will just make them leave earlier. If they are going to be drunk and violent they will be regardless of music. Sorry Leicestershire Police but maybe something else should be tried.
Tom OD, Leicester, UK

Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries"

Ken , USA

They should play "Walking on Air" or "Exiles" by King Crimson. Something to moisten the eye. Or maybe Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries".
Ken , USA

How daft! How about not having a closing time?
Barrie Martindale, Canada

I really hope this programme works... but I did like the idea that Ramana's local does in playing opera music at full blast - superb! Perhaps "Nessun Dorma" would do the trick too as people like to outdo each other singing along to it. Oh, there again, a bunch of drunken louts trying to out-sing each other at Pavarotti is probably not too soothing on the eardrums of local residents either!
Marion, UK in USA

It has to be Hazel O'Connor's hit, "I Love The Sound of Breaking Glass."
David Gatenby, Germany

Anything by Coldplay or Travis. That way, agressive revellers would simply nod off and their slumbering bodies could be removed to the nearest landfill site and buried!
Mark B, UK

Brave New World anyone?

Ric, U.K.

Brave New World anyone? How about giving them happy pills, such as valium to get a real effect? Or go the whole hog and sedate them and take them home?
Ric, U.K.

I think anything is worth a try

Graham Taylor, UK

I think anything is worth a try. I can imagine how fed up the police are getting meeting the same old people down the police station. However unfortunately no matter what we try where I live, it will continue to stay unsafe at night as youth today are become worse and worse.
Graham Taylor, UK

I think they should play them at the beginning of the night and everyone would go home early instead and there would be no trouble.
Nicky Gardner, England

Welcome to the Planet Leicester. God, what are these people on???!!! Most apt music would be Zorba the Greek for those getting a kebab, some Kula Shaka perhaps for those on their way for a curry and of course Saturday Night's Alright for fighting for those wanting to spend a night in the clink!
Kenny, UK

Surely if this music is supposed to send people back to their childhood then more of them are going to end up fighting over nothing!
C J, England

Theme tune to Willo-the-Wisp; absolute classic. Do-de-do dooo-de-do do-de-dah-daah....
Dave W, UK

I suppose these things are worth a try. How about Elton John's "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting"? Oh, that's not the idea really, is it?
Rod Maxwell, Scotland

Perhaps a selection of Eurovision tunes

Forbes Cunningham, Netherlands (UK National)

Depends where you live. But perhaps a selection of Eurovision tunes from the popular to the more recent?
Forbes Cunningham, Netherlands (UK National)

Plastic glasses and carpet floors are better crime fighters than children's tunes. Do publicans in Leicester really want to go bust?
Forbes Cunningham, Netherlands

I asked a group of youths outside a pub if they could turn down their music and they shoved a lollipop up my nose! Off they went with 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' blasting out.
Ron W, UK

I am from Leicester myself and I think it is a great idea. Anything that will make the city centre safer at night is fine by me and it is worth a try.
Craig Pemberton, England

I've never known pubs empty that quickly!!

Ramana, UK

My local plays opera music at full blast to get the punters out. I've never known pubs empty that quickly!!
Ramana, UK

I think it's an ace idea. They should definitely try the outro from Bagpuss. It's all about going to sleep and should have a soothing effect.
Hugh, England

Jamie and the Magic Torch or Chorlton and the Wheelies if it had been a really good night, just to end on a high. If the night had not been too successful I'd say the theme to Orm and Cheep for those feeling a wee bit down.
Gaj, UK

This is the most hideous thing I've ever heard of. Leicester Police obviously can't control their lager louts and think giving them a lollipop will stop them from being violent. I think they may as well play "Madness" on departure.
Sha, UK